Candle Ornament Assembly

For stitch instructions, see printable PDF above.

1. Tape Candle Ornament Embroidery Pattern from printable PDF onto a light box or sunny window. Center light green print B circle atop pattern and trace with pencil or water- or heat-soluble marking pen. TIP: Don’t trace small details such as French knots or Xs. They can be added freehand later by looking at the pattern.

3. Using two strands of red floss or one length of 12-weight thread, make French knot berries and flame accents, straight-stitch evergreen needles, make cross-stitches, and backstitch remaining drawn lines to make ornament top.

4. Remove ornament top from hoop, paint outer hoop white, and let dry. Re-hoop, being sure screw is centered at top of ornament. Complete ornament according to Basic Assembly, steps 6–9. Tie ribbon and yarn scraps to screw mechanism.

Basic Cutting

For patterns A and B, make templates by tracing patterns onto template plastic with a permanent marker and cutting out on drawn lines. Use a pencil or water-soluble marker to trace around templates on wrong sides of fabrics indicated in cutting instructions, then cut out on drawn lines.

To use fusible web when preparing cotton appliqués, complete the following steps.

1. Lay fusible web, paper side up, over patterns. Use a pencil to trace each pattern the number of times indicated in cutting instructions, leaving 1⁄2" between tracings. Cut out fusible-web shapes roughly 1⁄4" outside traced lines.

To use freezer paper when preparing felted wool appliqués, complete the following steps.

1. Lay freezer paper, shiny side down, over patterns. Use a pencil to trace patterns the number of times indicated in cutting instructions, leaving 1⁄2" between tracings. Cut out freezer-paper shapes roughly 1⁄4" outside drawn lines.

Basic Assembly

1. Center fabric B circle over small hoop. Place larger hoop on top and tighten screw. Adjust fabric as needed so it is evenly taut.

2. Referring to instructions for each ornament, arrange appliqués on right side of hooped B circle. Pin or baste in place with fabric glue.

3. On wrong side of hooped B circle, apply glue stick; adhere a batting A circle.

4. Hand-stitch and embellish hooped B circle according to instructions for each ornament, stitching through both fabric and batting, to make ornament top.

5. Remove ornament top from hoop and press flat. Paint outer hoop, if desired, and let dry. Re-hoop, being sure screw is centered at top of ornament.

6. Place hooped ornament top right side down on your work surface. Working with a small section at a time, apply glue stick along inside of small hoop. Fold excess fabric evenly to back and finger-press, pleating as necessary.

7. Apply glue stick to cardboard A circle; finger-press a batting A circle on top. Place backing fabric B circle right side down on work surface and apply glue stick to wrong side. Center cardboard A circle, batting side down, on B circle. Wrap fabric evenly to back of cardboard circle, clipping into fabric edge as needed to make it lie flat, and glue to cardboard to make ornament backing.

5. Referring to Snowflake Appliqué Placement Diagram, stitch details--one long straight stitch and two short straight stitches at ends--on center circle and snowflake with silver thread.

6. With beading needle and silver thread, sew beads to center of circle and snowflake to make ornament top.

To stitch beads, bring up needle in center of bead, stitch across bead, and push needle back into fabric. Bring needle up in center of bead again, then stitch across opposite side of bead so that it lies flat.

7. Remove ornament top from hoop, paint outer hoop with one or more coats of white paint, and let dry. Re-hoop, being sure screw is centered at top of ornament. Complete ornament according to Basic Assembly, steps 6–9. Glue light blue rickrack to outer edge of larger hoop. Tie ribbon and yarn scraps to screw mechanism.